The campaigning collective, which was established in March last year as COVID-19 struck, has been at the vanguard of the battle to save the construction sector in Scotland during the first enforced shutdown and help it through the difficult conditions which have followed.

As widespread interest in its work remains undiminished, the Forum has now welcomed the Association of Brickwork Contractors, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering and the National Federation of Demolition Contractors to its ranks.

Their arrival means the Forum now has 30 full members from across Scotland and beyond, representing government agencies, private companies, professional services and training bodies, plus more than 25 further organisations contributing advice to its sub-groups.

Forum chair and SELECT managing director Alan Wilson said: “It is very gratifying that, after nearly a year of intensive campaigning, we are attracting the notice of still more prominent and powerful organisations.

“We are delighted to welcome these new organisations and we greatly appreciate the contribution they will make to our ongoing efforts.

“The Forum, in its daily activities and in its comprehensive provision of practical information and advice, has performed an unprecedented service to every part of our vital industry and each new member brings new strengths.”

The Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC) represents the largest specialist contractors across the UK and focuses on supporting the role of bricklayers as well as sustaining the influence that the contractor has at the design and build stages.

Eve Livett, chief executive of ABC, said: “Working together in the common interest has proved to be an unprecedented success for the CICV Forum and our association is keen to contribute to its ongoing service to the industry.”

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) has a membership in excess of 7,500, made up of practitioners, consultants, specifiers, designers, public health engineers, lecturers, trainers and trainees. More than 1,600 members reside in Hong Kong.

Kevin Wellman, CEO of CIPHE, said: “The Institute, which defines and monitors professional standards worldwide, has noticed with interest the collegiate nature of the CICV Forum’s work and its promotion of wider rather than narrower interests. We will be glad to be able to contribute to the important work that the Forum has been doing.”

The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) has championed the standards and professionalism of its members for more than 80 years. It counts some of the biggest names in the specialist sector among its more than 140 members.

Howard Button, CEO of NFDC, said: “Our Federation is the most powerful voice in the demolition industry and we want to add it to the other organisations which have come together under the CICV Forum banner to work for the greater good of the construction industry.”